Ankara, an African print fabric that’s bold and colorful, are gaining popularity in interiors and fashion as a design trend.

Photo by Ania Wawrzkowicz, London

West African Ankara fabrics are known for their bold, colorful tribal like motifs are becoming popular worldwide. Ankara textiles are 100% cotton wax printed fabrics that were created by a wax-resist dyeing method better known as Batik. Though the fabric prints are synonymous with Africa the origins of the cloths are actually Dutch. The Dutch made the cloths for the Indonesian market but through trade Ankara fabrics were introduced and embraced by Africa. The colorful patterns have became a signature symbol of the West African culture.

Vlisco, the power-house Netherlands based fabric company, has been designing and producing colorful Ankara fabrics since 1846.

Today, Ankara prints are gaining popularity being used by fashion designers and in home decor. Adding Ankara prints to your home or wardrobe can be a great way to give your style a boost of color and individuality.

Here’s a look at some of the best home and fashion uses for Ankara African Wax Prints. Hope you see something that will inspire you to refresh your style with Ankara prints.

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As we come to the close of my favorite season summer, I’m celebrating my Summer Blues with a Low Country Seafood Boil.

I made a Low Country Seafood Boil to celebrate a young friend’s birthday. Like me, seafood is her favorite and a low country boil is a delicious meal. If you love seafood too here’s an easy to make, one pot meal that’s down home, special and a little messy.

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One of the most coveted show houses in the south was the 2016 Southeastern Designer Showhouse & Gardens presented by Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles Magazines. I remember every stylish inch of this beauty when I toured the home and grounds this past spring. I guess Dwight Howard loved it too because he’ll make it his new home after purchasing it for $12.5 million.

The 20,000 square foot house is situated on 3.5 acres in Atlanta’s Buckhead neighborhood. The property includes a 2,500 square foot pool house, infinity pool and tennis courts. The mansion was designed by the Logan Design Group International and built by Bill Preston of Paradise Builders.

Here’s a look at some of my favorite rooms when this massive house was fully decorated by 25 of the south’s top interior designers during show house season last spring.

Library designed by Robert Brown Interiors

Dining Room designed by Suzanne Kassler

Details of the dining room lacquered, coffered ceiling

Great room designed by Barbara Westbrook

Black & White room by Barbara Westbrook

Kitchen by Kay Deloach has a dining area that leads to a patio.

Casual dining area off kitchen designed by Beth Webb

One of 5 outdoor living spaces at the home

Master Bathroom designed by Michel Boyd

Gentlemen’s closet by California Closets and Michel Boyd

Masculine Bedroom

2,500 square foot pool house

Guest house bedroom – Don Easterling and Nina Nash

I hope you’ve enjoyed my intimate look at the house Dwight Howard purchased for his new home in Atlanta.

Until next time …

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Ladies, April 30 to May 8 is National Women Build Week. It’s time to pick up a hammer, learn some new skills and volunteer to help Build 1000 Homes with Lowe’s for Habitat for Humanity. I want you to join the movement!

I spent one glorious evening at my neighborhood Lowe’s Home Improvement store with about 70 women volunteers building frames for homes for Habitat for Humanity North Central Georgia. It was fabulous fun using power tools, meeting new friends and most importantly serving a tremendous cause building affordable housing.

Lowe’s and Habitat for Humanity have an important and honorable goal to build 1000 homes so 1,000 families will have safe, stable homes by the holidays.

Quality affordable housing is a critical need in communities across America from rural towns to urban landscapes. You can join thousands of women across the country volunteering during Habitat’s National Women Build Week and help families in your local community have a decent place to call home. Lowe’s stores across the 10 states are holding events using their stores as Habitat home building sites. Lowe’s employees and expert builders are there to help you.

National Women’s Build Week projects will include new home construction and home revitalization projects.

Only qualified applicants who go through a rigorous approval process and complete 200-300 hours of sweat equity are allowed to purchase Habitat for Humanity homes.

Learning new skills while volunteering – It was a great night.

About Habitat for Humanity

Habitat for Humanity began on a community farm in southern Georgia in 1976 and it has grown into a global nonprofit housing organization serving nearly 1,400 communities across the U.S. and in over 70 countries.

People and organizations partner with Habitat for Humanity to provide affordable housing in their own communities. Habitat homeowners help build their own homes alongside volunteers and pay an affordable mortgage.

About Lowe’s Community Commitment

Lowe’s and the Lowe’s Charitable and Educational Foundation together have contributed more than $250 million supporting the communities it serves through programs that focus on K-12 public education and community improvement projects.

Lowe’s provided renumeration for my promoting the event I just wrote about. I have written my honest opinion about how much I enjoyed and believe in this cause and would have been willing to participate without anything in return.

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Modern Design and Craft can marry perfectly and make amazingly beautiful accents to showcase your personal style in your home.

Here’s a tip, a great way to find unique, handmade items for your home is to purchase from craftspeople at crafts shows and art fairs. The American Crafts Council Show is a traveling crafts exhibit full of expert artisans making everything from ceramics to jewelry to furniture. Since the show is in Atlanta this weekend I couldn’t wait to visit and see what I would find.

This year the crafts council features “Modern Design Meets Craft” 4 vignettes by Atlanta interior designers – Willem Stear of TONIC Design, Jennifer Reiner and Robert White of Reiner White, James Wheeler of J Wheeler Designs, and Smith Hanes of Smith Hanes Studio.